Good points, except I would not exclude monitors from your definitions. For instance, people think monitors eat their babies, yet we have let eggs hatch in the cage and they did not eat them. How funny. I also found, many species of odatria, where adults would found sitting with babies. This included both ackies and storrs(which is most surprising)



The truth is, we have no idea what is actually going on. For instance, recently there are reports of rattlesnakes protecting their young. Where an adult actually gathered its offspring in its coils. Once I found an adult female blacktail rattlesnake coiled RIGHT ON TOP of six babies. Only the babies were a different species. They were banded rock rattlesnakes. Hmmmmmmm no worries mom was only six inches away. These types of things indicate, we do not know much.



ALso years ago, I reported Large males of V.tristis, in breeding groups, became more of a watchdog, and would not breed. I had to add another male to these groups, so I would get fertile eggs from the group. ???????????????? I saw that with several species.



You see, I have seen far to many "odd" behaviors to rule out all social behaviors. I have seen far to many that fit your discription.



The problem is lack of all ability to understand these animals. For instance, WE keepers have our own rules, like a male and a female in a cage. And the cage designed with that in mind. You sir, and others here do not think in terms of group cages. With that in mind, you do and so many others do not allow them to express what they are. You control what they are. Cheers

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